Daijiworld Media Network – Mumbai

Mumbai, Jun 28: The Sharad Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (SP) on Friday announced its support for the protest march scheduled for July 5 in Mumbai, opposing the alleged imposition of Hindi in Maharashtra's school curriculum under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

The state government’s plan to implement the NEP's three-language formula — which includes mandatory Hindi from class 1 — has sparked widespread opposition from educationists, linguists, parents, and activists, who argue that early education should be in the mother tongue.

In an open letter shared on social media, NCP (SP) Maharashtra unit chief Jayant Patil said the party stands firmly with the people of Maharashtra in defending regional interests. “Whenever the interest of Maharashtra is at stake, we stand with Maharashtra. And when the interest of the nation is at stake, we stand with the nation, setting aside political lines. That is the core policy of the NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar),” Patil stated.

He clarified that the Marathi-speaking community is not against learning Hindi or any other language, but forcing Hindi at the primary level is unacceptable. “If the three-language policy is being used as a tool to sideline the mother tongue, then the Marathi-speaking community will unitedly resist such moves,” Patil said.

Calling the issue one of linguistic and regional identity, Patil urged all party workers, office-bearers, and elected representatives to participate in large numbers in the July 5 protest march. He emphasized that the march aims to protect the status and importance of Marathi in school education.